Desert defeats Pirates

PALM DESERT — Orange Coast College scored first, led deep into the third quarter, and outgained host College of the Desert, 345 yards to 284. But six turnovers and 24 straight COD points proved too much to overcome in the Roadrunners’ 37-21 East Division win Saturday.

Freshman Zach Emde started at quarterback and threw two interceptions in seven attempts, before being replaced by freshman A.J. Josue. Josue completed 19 of 35 for 191 yards and two touchdowns, but was also intercepted twice.

OCC (2-6, 1-2 in the division) led, 7-0 and 14-7, and was up, 14-13, until the Roadrunners (4-4, 2-1) took their first lead on a 33-yard field goal by Nathan Krasniak with 3:30 left in the third quarter.

The hosts produced three fourth-quarter touchdowns in a span of 4:41, including a four-yard interception return, to put the game away.

Freshman tailback Bill Chimphalee had 67 yards on 16 rushing attempts to lead the OCC ground game, while sophomore Keali’i Doll had six receptions for 68 yards.

Sophomore tight end Jeff Waldron, a Costa Mesa High product, had four catches for 45 yards, including two touchdowns.

Charles Fortis completed 11 of 21 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns with one interception for the Roadrunners.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

UC Irvine 3,

Cal State Fullerton 2

IRVINE — The No. 12-ranked Anteaters twice rallied from deficits Sunday to complete the Big West Conference season 8-0 and become the conference’s first unbeaten champion.

Senior Tanya Taylor converted an assist from senior Judy Christopher and sophomore Mar Rodriguez in the 61st minute for the game-winner, after junior Co-Co Goodson headed in a corner kick from senior Alyssa Humphrey in the 58th minute to forge a 2-2 deadlock.

Sophomore Devon Delarosa scored on an assist from sophomore Dana Sanderlin for the other UCI goal.

Senior Danielle de Seriere had three saves for the Anteaters (16-1-2), who enter Thursday’s Big West Tournament semifinal at home against Pacific (8-7-3) with a 13-game winning streak and a 16-game unbeaten streak.

It was the 10th goal of the season for Taylor, who leads all Big West players in goals and assists (nine).

It was UCI’s first victory over Fullerton since 2000.

Should UCI defeat Pacific Thursday, it would play host to the tournament title game Sunday at noon against either Long Beach State (12-5-2) or Cal State Northridge (12-8).

MEN’S WATER POLO

UC Irvine 12, Pacific 9

IRVINE — Senior Griffin Lerman scored five goals to pace the No. 5 Anteaters in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation contest against the No. 7-ranked Tigers Sunday at UCI.

Senior Doug Lindsey added three goals and junior Trent Baxter had two for the ‘Eaters (14-5, 3-2 in conference).

Matt Johnson made six saves for UCI.